Nail fungus can cause a lot of trouble not only to an infected person, but also to their loved ones. This disease is transmitted both through personal contact and in general household conditions. This fact means only one thing: the fungus should definitely be treated, and the measures should be comprehensive: if the problem appeared on the nails, then it is also present on the skin of the legs. In addition, local remedies must be combined with oral medicines. This is the only way to defeat the disease at home.
Preparation and Precautions
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is a disease caused by fungi - dermatophytes, microsporia, etc. , so it is very important to consult a doctor at the first symptoms. After the examination, the doctor may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and select an effective therapy. If you also want to use folk remedies, then you need to discuss this with your doctor. Consultation with a specialist will allow you to effectively and safely solve the problem.
It is important to use medications according to the doctor's instructions and recommendations, as some medications can cause negative results if they come into contact with the skin.
If you or someone in the family has toenail fungus, extra attention must be paid to hygiene to avoid infecting those who are still healthy.
Why does the fungus appear and its types
The spores of the fungus are microscopic and live where a person lives. About 70, 000 fungi are known, but those that cause disease are the most dangerous.
How does it turn out that one person is healthy, and the other "caught" the fungus? The following reasons can contribute:
- Wounds on the legs, abrasions, calluses.
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Decreased defenses of the body.
- Excessive sweating of the feet (hyperhidrosis).
The type of fungus that hit the nail plate can only be determined by a dermatologist after passing tests. Sometimes it is possible to understand what kind caused the disease by visual inspection:
- dermatophytes. The lesion appears as yellowish spots or streaks. The progressive stage is characterized by the acquisition of a lighter shade and the defeat of the entire plate.
- Yeast. They affect the color and structure of the nail folds, causing inflammation and suppuration.
- moldyThey do not penetrate very deeply and appear as dark and black spots.
It is worth noting that the more severe the lesion, the more pronounced the symptoms and signs of the fungus.
Symptoms and Signs of Damage
Successful treatment directly depends on correct and timely diagnosis. If you take care of yourself, be sure to pay attention to the manifestations of the fungus on the toenails. The following symptoms and signs should warn you:
- Change the color of the plate. The color can indicate the type of fungus that caused the disease. You may notice yellow, gray, black, green, and blue spots or streaks on your nails.
- change in nail density. If you notice thinning or, conversely, thickening of the nails, you need to see a doctor.
- itching and burning. Occur systematically and cause complaints.
- Violation of the integrity of the disk. The nail can crack. Dry skin on the heels also indicates a fungal infection.
Unpleasant sensations arise due to the action of fungal toxins on the skin and nails. So, the sooner you see a doctor and start treatment, the sooner a full recovery will occur. If the fungus is not treated, you can completely lose the nail or several nail plates. In addition, toxins poison the body and can cause eczema.
Effective folk fighting methods
Folk methods will help get rid of the fungus, especially at the initial stages. I present the most common recipes for combating the disease.
Vinegar
Used for baths. Preparation for the procedure is simple: take 5 liters of water with a temperature of 50 degrees, add 9% acetic acid and put your feet in a container. The procedure lasts 15 minutes, after which the feet are wiped dry and cotton socks are put on.
hydrogen peroxide
First, the feet are steamed in a soda bath, after which the damaged areas of the nail plate are removed. Next, a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide is applied to the nail and covered with polyethylene. Such a compress should remain for an hour. The procedure is carried out twice a day.
iodine
Nagelplatin is smeared with tincture of iodine twice a day. You can also make baths, adding 3 liters of water and 2 teaspoons of iodine.
propolis
Both when using tinctures and as a component of ointments and baths, propolis has an antifungal effect on the skin of the legs and nail plates. Put a tablespoon of propolis in a basin of water. After the procedure, you can apply the remedy to the focus of the disease for half an hour.
Potassium permanganate and vinegar
Baths with potassium permanganate and vinegar are also excellent for the fungus. To prepare the product, add a liter of vinegar and a little potassium permanganate to 3 liters of water. The duration of treatment is 7 days.
Essential Oils
Apply some oil to your wrist to test for allergies. If after 12 hours there are no strange signs, you can use a remedy to fight the fungus. The most effective option is tea tree oil. 5 drops of oil are required per liter of liquid. And the extract itself is applied to the nail plate after the cleaning process.
decoctions of herbs
- sage and mint. Can be taken orally as a tea or used in baths. The infusion is drunk throughout the day and the bath is done before bedtime.
- calamus root. For 250 ml of water, take 15 g of chopped root. The decoction will help fight a variety of infections. Drink it for a month.
- Japanese sophora. It has established itself as a tool that effectively improves immunity and helps normalize the functioning of internal organs. To prepare the tincture, take 0. 5 vodka and add 50 g of sophora fruit. Take a teaspoon before meals. Course - 2 months.
- oak bark. It has a detrimental effect on mold and helps get rid of the fungus. Baths are prepared as follows: combine 1 liter of liquid with 5 tbsp. spoons of bark and boil for 20 minutes. Use for baths when the temperature of the broth reaches 40 degrees. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.
tar
Sold in the form of an ointment. You can buy a 10% or 30% remedy to get the effect. It is necessary to use it after water treatments before bedtime. The affected nail is covered with ointment.
tea fungus
A small piece is applied to the affected nail and fixed with a bandage. In the morning, the bandage is removed, the nails are washed with warm water, the damaged areas are cut off, and the fingers are treated with hydrogen peroxide.
compresses and tinctures
- Garlic. To treat toenail fungus, you can use the pulp from the plant. You need to boil it every night and apply it for 40 minutes.
- Rowan leaves. Sand and wear all night.
- Thyme. The tincture is made from the dry plant. 100 g of thyme and 2 liters of water are required. You must cushion your legs every day until recovery occurs.
- Purple. The tincture also helps eliminate the fungus. For 100 ml of alcohol you need 10 g of lilac. The affected areas are lubricated until the problem completely disappears.
pharmaceutical preparations and creams
If symptoms of the fungus appear, topical treatment should be started as soon as possible. Pharmacy creams, varnishes, drops are used for this.
Tablets will also help achieve maximum effectiveness in the fight against the disease. They are combined with external preparations. In the pharmacy you can buy products with different prices and potencies.
Removal of affected nails
Means for removing affected nails are also used, but they are already in critical condition.
- chemical. Carried out in a dermatological practice. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes. The doctor removes the horny layer with a special nail file and a scalpel. Then the doctor treats the entire surface of the foot and nails with an antiseptic, after which he applies an ointment paste. A sterile material is applied to this, and the affected fingers are bandaged. After 4 days, these areas are disinfected with an antiseptic and treated with an antifungal.
- Mechanically. A mycologist or dermatologist removes the affected nails with a special device. Before and after the procedure, the feet are treated with an antiseptic solution.
- surgical. It is considered obsolete in medical practice. The manipulation is performed by the surgeon. The patient is given local anesthesia with lidocaine solution. After removal, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide, antiseptic ointment is applied, a sterile bandage is applied, and then fixed with a bandage. In the evening, fingers need to be kept in saline solution. The bandaging takes place in a clinic.
What's the best way to treat advanced athlete's foot?
One of the modern methods of getting rid of the fungus on the feet and nails is treatment with laser therapy. This technique is used in cases where traditional topical treatment and treatment with oral preparations have failed. The advantages of this procedure are very impressive:
- Painlessness;
- no side effects;
- Perfomance.
But laser fungus removal also has contraindications:
- diabetes mellitus.
- The presence of acute inflammatory processes.
- Violation of the functioning of internal organs.
- Pregnancy and breast feeding period.
- The presence of skin diseases.
- oncological diseases.
- Tan.
- Chemical Peel.
Preparation for laser exposure is carried out as follows: vaporize the damaged nail and cut as much as possible. Get tested beforehand. The duration of treatment is about 6 procedures.
Features of the treatment of fungus during pregnancy
Treatment of the fungus during childbirth has its own characteristics. It must be borne in mind that pregnancy imposes a number of restrictions on the expectant mother. Therefore, only topical preparations are used in eliminating the problem.
The use of therapeutic varnishes is recommended. First of all, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and get recommendations for the upcoming treatment.
If a pregnant woman has already suffered from a fungus, she should conduct prophylaxis to avoid exacerbation of the disease during this crucial period.
Opinions and reviews of doctors about home treatment
Toenail fungus is a medical issue and should be treated in conjunction with a qualified professional. It is important to consult a doctor in time to clarify the diagnosis, which also focuses on precautionary measures when visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools, showers in hotels. It is these places that often become a source of infection.
Self-diagnosis followed by self-treatment can make the situation worse, experts say, especially considering that some fungi are resistant to certain drugs. Only the right therapy ensures a quick recovery and a lasting result.
Doctors focus the attention of patients expecting a child on a mandatory visit to a specialist before the pregnant woman begins to use folk remedies and buy medicines at the pharmacy.
Prevention of the appearance of the fungus
Avoiding the occurrence of nail fungus is only possible with systematic prevention. The following measures will help to achieve good results:
- Wash your feet with soap every day.
- Apply antiseptics in the form of sprays or talc.
- Dry wet shoes thoroughly.
- When visiting public baths, swimming pools, take personal hygiene items, change of shoes.
- Periodically treat the manicure set with an antiseptic.
Following these simple guidelines will help protect against athlete's foot and toenail fungus.
Your health depends entirely on your personal relationship with your body. If you've had a fungus before or are experiencing unusual symptoms, see a doctor to confirm or refute the diagnosis.
Pay close attention to the appearance of itchy feet, peeling, changes in the structure and color of the nail plates, the appearance of spots or streaks. This not only identifies the disease, but also effectively treats it. However, the advanced stages of the fungus not only bring additional symptoms, but also have a negative effect on the health of the entire organism. There is also an aesthetic side to this: the affected nails eventually fade, peel off, and an unpleasant smell comes from the legs.